rought here before sunset,"
exclaimed the rajah. "But what assurance have I that you speak the
truth, and will not endeavour to make your escape should I order your
chains to be knocked off, and allow you to go free?"

"Refuge of the World, I am incapable of such treachery," said Bikoo,
putting his hand to his heart.

"With your highness's leave, I will accompany the slave," said Reginald.
"If I assume my European costume I shall not be recognised, and the
priests will suppose me a stranger led by curiosity to visit their
temple. If the slave speaks the truth, the casket may then be obtained
without difficulty; and as I will go well armed, I will protect him
should the priests attempt to take it from him."

"You may go, my son," said the rajah; "but, as a protection, take fifty
of my guards and station them outside the temple, with directions to be
ready to rush in at a signal from you, and to capture the priests,
should they attempt to stop you. That will be a shorter way of
proceeding than the slave proposes; and those priests are all great
rascals, to my certain knowledge."

Reginald had grave doubts whether, after all, the slave was not
deceiving him. He could scarcely believe that the object for which he
had been so long in search was almost within his grasp. The rajah urged
him to return as soon as possible, and was evidently unwilling to have
him long out of his sight.

After giving orders to the chief officer of the guards to select a band
of fifty trustworthy men, he changed his Oriental costume for his
seaman's dress, taking care to stick a brace of pistols and a dagger in
his belt. Then ordering Bikoo to accompany him, he set out for the
temple, which was in a remote part of the city.

Quaint and monstrous designs ornamented all parts of the building.
Leaving the guard outside, Reginald passed under a low archway, when he
found himself in a hall, on each side of which he could distinguish,
through the dim obscurity, the hideous forms of the presiding divinities
of the temple.

"I see no priests or worshippers in the place," he whispered to Bikoo.

"The holy men are engaged in their devotions in the lower hall, where
the tomb of the saint is situated," answered Bikoo, leading the way.

Reginald followed, holding a pistol ready for use, should his guide
prove treacherous, or the priests appear inclined to oppose his
entrance. At the further end of the upper hall was a flight of steps
leading d